ISSUES PREVALENT IN SOUTH ASIA
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Article Links.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2009/10/30/pm.2.cost.of.war.cnn
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Any-more-terror-attack-from-Pak-will-be-retaliated-Chidambaram/articleshow/5185506.cms


8 Years of WAR.
pic.jpgEver since the incident of 9.11 in the year of 2001, the nation of Afghanistan has been besieged with war. This ongoing war was first initiated during former President George W. Bush's term and has been succeeded by President Barak Obama. As the news source on the first link discusses, the American military troops being sent to Afghanistan has increased greatly over the years and has been taking up many of the taxes paid by citizens. There are many American Military Bases established in Afghanistan at this time. The video thoroughly explains the situation President Obama is in and the situation from the U.S. point of view. I chose this current issue video because I felt it most related to us, and would aid in getting ourselves connected to the region.
Not only that but Korea has also most recently publicized their plans to send out troops to Afghanistan. http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2911955 They will be forming a PRT and although they will not take part in combat, they will be in charge of security. Moon Tae-young is the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry and has asked for civilians' support as Korea takes an active part in stabilizing Afghanistan. He stressed that the troops will be out of harms way as they will not be taking part in battle. Other information regarding the troops have not yet been announced. Some are concerned however, that their role in this matter may increase the threats of terrorism upon Korea; not everyone is in favor of this decision.
The war in Afghanistan has been going on for awhile as different political parties fight for power in the country. Terrorism has also started many uproars these past several years and has become a world wide crisis. Side affects of this war would be the devastation caused on the lives of civilians and military men. Depending on which region you are in, there are frequent bombings and gunfire among men. It is most definitely an unsafe place to be and many civilians either migrate to safer areas or try to immigrate across the borders. The war has clearly acted as a push factors to many. The U.S. military soldiers are patrolling areas and striving to bring stability within Afghan's borders. They are also aiding them in economic recovery as they hope to strengthen the government.



Response to Ongoing Terrorism.
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This problem stems back from the time of European colonization; to the period when British-India was being divided. Initially it had been divided into three regions: west and east Pakistan and India in the middle. The split was according to muslim and hindu believers of the region. Although these two countries have a lot in common, the diplomatic relationship between them have always been some what of a struggle. They had gone to war four times since the establishment of both countries and one of them resulted in the split of eastern Pakistan, creating Bangladesh. Attempts to create amends have been made but have shown unsuccessful. However, the relationship has been getting more stabilized after entering the 21st period; that is, until the Mumbai Attack in 2008.
The Mumbai Attack was basically a terrorist attack on India's most prosperous city of commercial value. There were approximately 180 deaths and many more injuries following these consecutive bombings. The article deals with India's minister who warns Pakistan that India will take no more of their terror. Basically he says that it is the last straw and if they dare "play" with them again, India will take action and make sure they do not get out of it easily. "If terrorist and militans from Pakistan try to carry out any attack in India, they will not only be defeated but will be retaliated very strongly." These words were spoken by Chidambaram towards Pakistan, and he made sure he stressed his point. We will have to wait and see how Pakistan will respond to this warning. But from the image of Pakistan built up these past few years, there is doubt whether they will take this seriously. If anything were to follow the Mumbai Attacks, we can not ensure that India will stay quiet. It seems that tensions have been tightening once more for these two countries.




Pakistan Unsafe for Pakistan.
As mentioned in the paragraph with India's response to Pakistan's constant attacks, Pakistan is a land with much danger and terror. Most recently a couple weeks ago, there were a few suicide bombings that took place near IIUI, a university in Pakistan. http://www.currentissuesofpakistan.com/ It seems that several people died as a direct result of this incident, and many others injured. Why they had committed suicide it does not say, but its easy to see this is becoming a greater issue. If even Pakistan is unsafe from itself, there is a problem. Not that bombing other nations is completely fine, but the matter of suicide bombings or any sort of bombings have gone out of hand. Someone in that country needs to take control of the situation and calm it down, because as of now, they aren't doing anything to prevent further bombings. There is a need for a more concrete solution to this arising problem in Pakistan, so that in the near future, people would be safe on their tour of Pakistani culture. A student at IIUI described the bombings as one of chaos and destruction, something that happens too often at the hands of these people.


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All schools in Pakistan had closed as a result of these twin bombings,
taken place at International Islamic University.